The wonders of the University on Youth and Development, Mollina

I always say that every project is a story for itself. I have attended many and enjoyed all of them but this project was so different from the previous, so special.

I spent 10 days in Mollina, Spain, being part of one of the biggest events in the field of youth work: the University on Youth and Development (UYD). The UYD is an activity organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC) in partnership with the Spanish Government (INJUVE), the European Youth Forum (YFJ), the Spanish Youth Council (CJE) and other international youth organisations. Under the name “Youth.org: actors for change!”, the 16th edition of the UYD explored the topic of the global youth movement and its educational impact.

For the first time I was with more than 200 people from different countries around the world at the same time in the same place. I discovered that we have so many differences and at the same time so many things in common. If I were a writer, I would have written a book for each person I met! There were many people with inspiring stories and their words are engraved in my heart.

The University held at the same time several working groups, on different topics. I was part of the training course ‘Enter the net’, which explored ways in which the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used by youth organisations to attract new members, to coordinate projects, to manage logistical and practical issues, to network and communicate with other organisations. My group was a perfect example of what a team means. We stuck together all the time during the sessions and in our free time. We danced, we laughed, we learnt a lot from each other. We were also hanging out with other participants but we always stayed a team.

I wish this project lasted longer. I would like to mention the evening sessions when we were all gathering at the sound of bagpipes and having fun by singing, dancing, playing games… Even at the end of a busy day, nothing seemed hard.

It was also my first YEU-supported project but I am sure than it won’t be last one. I fell in love with this family and at the end of the project I said to my new friends that it was just the end of the beginning. I am looking forward the next University, meanwhile I will recall the memories from this one and act for a change in this world.